The composition and density of meiofauna in the Belgian coastal waters of the North Sea are essentially similar to those over large spatial scales. However, the impact of pollution from the Western Scheldt river is clearly reflected in a decrease in diversity on all taxonomic levels. Nematodes are the only animal group that survives in normal or even greater abundance, albeit it with lower diversity. Total meiofauna production is estimated at 1.5-2.0 g C m-2yr-1 and equals or even greatly exceeds macrofauna production in the area.

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